Updated April 6, 2026, 1:15 p.m. ET
- A person who died in an Easter morning house fire in Upper Arlington has been recognized as Matt Schmidt, 43.
- Schmidt was a part of the household that runs the well-known Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in German Village.
- His spouse and three daughters have been capable of escape the fire safely.
The man who died in an Easter morning fire in Upper Arlington is part of a well-known central Ohio family with deep ties to the neighborhood.
Matt Schmidt, 43, died after being discovered round 4:30 a.m. April 5 on the primary ground of his house on the 3800 block of Chevington Road. Schmidt’s spouse and three daughters escaped the fire safely.
Schmidt is a part of the fifth generation of Schmidt family members working Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, a German Village restaurant that could be a vacationer vacation spot. Schmidt labored as brand ambassador for the corporate, frequently being featured on social media – significantly because the restaurant celebrates its one hundred and fortieth anniversary this yr.
The restaurant confirmed Schmidt’s death in a statement.
“There are no words to describe the tragic loss of Matt Schmidt. Matt was first and foremost a devoted and loving husband to his wife and a father to his three young daughters,” the assertion says. “Matt was also a fifth generation Schmidt family member and his magnetic personality, kindness and service to all he met – both personally and professionally – made him the face of Schmidt’s. He was the best of us and lived out our values of family, hospitality and service every day of his life. We thank everyone who has reached out for their care and concern during this devastating time for the Schmidt family.”
Schimdt and his spouse, Becky, purchased the house on the 3800 block of Chevington Road in 2019 and lived there with their three daughters.
Schmidt has additionally been concerned in the neighborhood, collaborating with the Upper Arlington Civic Association.
An online fundraiser organized on behalf of the family has acquired practically $75,000 in donations in lower than 24 hours.
Matt Schmidt returned to Columbus to hitch household enterprise
Justin Holbrock, account supervisor at Irvin Public Relations, mentioned Schmidt began working for the restaurant as a teen, working the counter at gala’s and festivals. After faculty, he labored in gross sales at IT agency CDW in Chicago earlier than transferring again to Columbus together with his spouse, Holbrock mentioned.
Schmidt turned a supervisor on the restaurant, then was put in cost of banquet gross sales earlier than turning into brand ambassador for the restaurant.
Holbrock mentioned Irvin PR, which has lengthy represented the restaurant, is “devastated” by Schmidt’s dying.
“Such a great guy and a huge loss for our community,” Holbrock mentioned.
Fatal fire began in sunroom
The fire on the Schmidt house was reported early in the morning on April 5.
In a information launch, the town of Upper Arlington mentioned the fire appeared to have originated in a four-season room, a method of sunroom that’s local weather managed and usable year-round, the place Schmidt was sleeping.
The Upper Arlington Fire Division was dispatched to the fire at about 4:30 a.m., and the primary items to reach on the house noticed heavy fire and smoke coming from the single-story house, in response to the discharge.
The Upper Arlington Fire division is investigating the reason for the fire with the assistance of the Columbus Division of Fire and the Washington Township Fire Department, in response to the information launch.
This story has been up to date so as to add extra info and photographs.
Reporter Bethany Bruner might be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
